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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong protests absence of basic facilities at civic schools despite Rs 359 crore grant
Thane: The Thane Congress has raised serious concerns over delays in providing basic facilities like midday meals to civic school teachers and students, despite the state releasing a massive grant of Rs 359 crore. The Thane Congress, led by City President Vikrant Chavan, staged a protest outside the education department on Thursday, questioning the irregularities hampering thousands of students and teachers. "Schools reopened on June 16, but the midday meals under the PM Nutrition Scheme only began on Aug 4. Thousands of students are still deprived of uniforms and educational materials despite the grant, which points to a complete collapse of the education system under the Thane Municipal Corporation," Chavan alleged. He also highlighted severe staff shortages affecting education quality and student enrolment. "Out of 856 approved teacher posts, 174 remain vacant, forcing the corporation to hire hourly teachers. Student enrolment has dropped drastically from 72,000 to 30,000 over the years," he added, saying the civic school buildings need to be audited by institutions like the IITs or VJTI. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Chavan detailed administrative vacancies: five out of six supervisor posts overseeing municipal and private schools remain unfilled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Learn More Undo Eight group head and 24 centre coordinator posts are also vacant. Only eight of sixteen clerk positions are filled, and three of four senior clerk roles remain empty. Among sanctioned security staff, just 45 out of 112 constables are working. The committee's main office faces similar issues, with only seven staff working against an 18-person sanctioned strength. These gaps, he warned, are severely impacting the functioning and quality of civic schools in Thane and warned of an intensified protest outside the civic headquarters if solutions are not found. The party also demanded private schools install their respective nameboards in local Marathi and that native individuals be given priority in employment and contracts. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TMC cracks down on illegal water connections
Thane: A week-long drive by the Thane Municipal Corporation resulted in the disconnection of 134 illegal tap connections across nine wards. Officials also plugged 79 borewells and seized 18 motor pumps, with cases expected to be filed soon, officials informed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This action followed orders from Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao to investigate water supply to unauthorized constructions, prompted by stern remarks from the Bombay High Court on how illegal structures were receiving water and electricity connections. Starting July 25, the Water Supply Department launched a special campaign targeting partially constructed and occupied illegal buildings in Diva, Mumbra, Majiwada-Manpada, Kalwa, Uthalsar, and Lokmanya Nagar-Savarkar Nagar. Alongside disconnecting water taps, borewells were plugged and pumps seized to curb unauthorized use. Meanwhile, Thane Congress president Vikrant Chavan condemned the continued rise of illegal constructions despite the high court's directives. "Over 300 ongoing illegal structures are still being constructed citywide, including in the ecologically sensitive Yeoor area. We are also demanding that all future demolitions and enforcement on these structures be done under court supervision for transparency," he said. The party also called for the disclosure of officials involved in permitting water and power connections to illegal buildings and sought the outcome of inquiries into assistant commissioners allegedly supporting these constructions. They demanded thorough investigations into developers, govt officials, and political figures allegedly protecting and funding illegal developments. Calling the illegal construction menace "organised crime," he urged the administration to file charges under the stringent MCOCA law. He warned that if decisive action isn't taken, Congress would file a Public Interest Litigation.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Activists seek transparency in spending of Thane development funds
THANE: Civic activists and politicians in Thane have demanded greater transparency from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), calling for a white paper detailing how development funds amounting to several thousands of crores—received over the past 15 years—have been spent. They questioned why, despite this significant financial support from the govts, the city continues to struggle with basic infrastructure and services. The issue was raised by Thane Congress president Vikrant Chavan , who alleged Thane city failed to benefit from the funds, which were meant to drive transformation. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump 'Over the last decade and a half, Thane received approximately ₹16,000 crore in development funds. Yet, residents still face daily hardships due to poor civic facilities,' Chavan said. 'We have therefore demanded the Municipal Commissioner issue a white paper detailing the expenditure.' You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai According to Chavan, the funds include ₹2,200 crore from central schemes such as BSUP and JNNURM, ₹1,000 crore under the Smart City Mission, ₹6,500 crore from the previous Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra govt, and the remaining from TMC's own budget allocations. 'With this scale of investment, Thane should have developed into a city like Shanghai. Instead, we are left searching for the promised development?' He highlighted persistent urban challenges such as inefficient waste management, severe traffic congestion, rampant illegal constructions, chronic water shortages, a crumbling drainage network, deteriorating educational infrastructure, and delays in the cluster redevelopment scheme. 'All of this points towards stagnation, not development,' Chavan asserted. Meanwhile, citizens—particularly from the Ghodbunder Road stretch, one of the city's highest tax-paying zones—have echoed these concerns. 'Despite paying high property taxes, we rely on irregular water tankers and lack even basic road connectivity. Traffic from the highway is a daily nightmare. Sometimes we think of moving to Mumbai,' said a frustrated Kasarvadavali resident. Chavan further called for a department-wise audit of all completed civic works, scrutinising each stage from tendering to quality checks. He demanded the appointment of an independent committee to verify project status and suggested forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT), similar to the one used for the Mithi River inquiry, if needed. He stated that govt resolutions for all related projects have already been procured and will be used to press for accountability. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
